Economy Watch: Housing Starts Take a Dip
Housing starts, which have been gaining upward momentum in recent months, took an unexpected dip in April, according to the Census Bureau.
Economy Watch: Home Buildings More Cheerful (or Less Glum)
The National Association of Home Builders reported that its housing market index increased three points in May to 44.
Economy Watch: Federal Deficit Shrinks
The Congressional Budget Office reported in its “Updated Budget Projections: Fiscal Years 2013 to 2023” that the federal budget deficit will shrink in fiscal 2013 to $642 billion, the smallest shortfall since 2008.
Economy Watch: Retail Sales Edge Up
The Census Bureau reported that U.S. retail sales were up 0.1 percent month-over-month in April, adjusting for seasonal variations and holidays, but not price changes.
‘Economy Watch’ Podcast with Dees Stribling: Some Good News This Week
Some good news in a week without too much news.
Economy Watch: Senior Home Builders More Optimistic
The National Association of Homebuilders said that its 55+ Single-Family Housing Market Index increased 19 points year-over-year to 46 in the first quarter of 2013.
Economy Watch: Strong Q1 for Fannie Mae
On Thursday, a day after Freddie Mac reported sizeable income in the first quarter, the considerably larger GSE Fannie Mae reported income of $8.1 billion for the first quarter of 2013, compared with income of $2.7 billion in the first quarter of 2012 and income of $7.6 billion in the fourth quarter of 2012.
Economy Watch: Freddie Mac in the Black
Freddie Mac reported that it had a net income of $4.6 billion for the first quarter of 2013, compared to a net income of $4.5 billion for the fourth quarter of 2012.
Economy Watch: Home Prices Continue Upward Trajectory
More evidence that the housing market is in recovery mode.
Economy Watch: Mortgage Delinquencies Continue to Edge Down
Lender Processing Services said that 6.59 percent of U.S. residential mortgages were delinquent in March, down from 6.8 percent in February.